Fixing System for Cladding

ABSTRACT

A fixing system for securing cladding boards to the framing of a building in a partially overlapping relationship, each board having front and rear faces with a recess being provided in and along the rear face. The fixing system comprises a plurality of fixing devices, supported by the framing, that are spaced apart relative to one another and arranged in rows, each row of fixing devices being arranged to support a board or row of boards and each fixing device having an engagement portion that is arranged to engage with a section of the recess of a board to, in co-operation with a number of other fixing devices of that row also engaging with a section of the recess, support the board in place on the framing. Also, the fixing system comprises a plurality of fixing components that are arranged to extend through the front face of each board within the overlapping region of adjacent boards and into the framing to secure each board to the framing in co-operation with the fixing devices.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fixing system for cladding. Inparticular, although not exclusively, the fixing system may be utilisedto secure weatherboards to the walls or framing of buildings. The fixingsystem also has applications in relation to fencing, screens, androofing.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There are numerous weatherboard designs on the market. The mostimportant feature of a weatherboard design is its cross-sectionalprofile. This profile dictates the way in which the weatherboards shouldbe installed and the overall appearance of the weatherboard claddingafter installation. Commonly, weatherboards are designed to be installedin an overlapping relationship with each other and can be fixedhorizontally, vertically or on an angle. Further, some weatherboarddesigns include grooves that, when installed, cooperate with the groovesof overlapping like weatherboards to provide anti-capillary channels.Such channels prevent moisture from getting in behind the weatherboardsand causing damage.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show cross-sectional and front views of a knownweatherboard design 10. The rear surface 11 of the weatherboard 10 has asloped portion 12 that is arranged to abut the framing 16 of a buildingwhen installed and this enables like weatherboards to be installed in apartial overlapping relationship with each other as shown in FIG. 3.Weatherboards having this design are also provided with wide grooves 13and 14 along the front 15 and rear 11 surfaces respectively. When suchweatherboard cladding is installed, the grooves of each weatherboardcooperate with the grooves of overlapping weatherboards to createanti-capillary channels 17 shown in FIG. 3.

During installation, the weatherboards shown in FIGS. 1-3 are typicallyfixed to the framing 16 one at a time from the bottom up such that theweatherboards are parallel and have an even overlap up the framing. Onemethod of aligning the weatherboards is to ascertain the required leveland then rest the next weatherboard to be installed on a line of nailspartially nailed in, which are removed once the weatherboard has beennailed into place.

Referring to FIG. 4, it has become increasingly common for cavitybattens 19 to be provided between the framing 16 and weatherboards 10.The battens 19 create cavities between the framing 16 or wall of thebuilding and the weatherboards 10 and these cavities provide a drainagepath for water and/or moisture that may penetrate in behind theweatherboards. The use of cavity battens is particularly desirable incoastal properties or buildings that are situated in exposed areas thathave harsh weather conditions. The cavity battens are used to formdrainage channels and the increased drainage allowed by the cavitiesreduces the likelihood of water or moisture penetrating the framingcavity, the cause of internal structural and interior lining rotting anddecay.

In this specification where reference has been made to patentspecifications, other external documents, or other sources ofinformation, this is generally for the purpose of providing a contextfor discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically statedotherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construedas an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, inany jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common generalknowledge in the art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fixingsystem for cladding, or to at least provide the public with a usefulchoice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a fixingsystem for securing cladding boards to the framing of a building in apartially overlapping relationship, each board having front and rearfaces with a recess being provided in and along the rear face, thefixing system comprising a plurality of fixing devices, supported by theframing, that are spaced apart relative to one another and arranged inrows, each row of fixing devices being arranged to support a board orrow of boards and each fixing device having an engagement portion thatis arranged to engage with a section of the recess of a board to, inco-operation with a number of other fixing devices of that row alsoengaging with a section of the recess, support the board in place on theforming; and a plurality of fixing components that are arranged toextend through the front face of each board within the overlappingregion of adjacent boards and into the framing to secure each board tothe framing in co-operation with the fixing devices.

In one form, the fixing devices are provided in integral strips that aresecured to the framing for receiving the boards, each strip beingprovided with a number of integral fixing devices spaced apart along itslength, and the strips being spaced apart and aligned on the framing ina vertical orientation relative to each other to provide rows of fixingdevices on the framing for supporting rows of boards. Preferably, thefixing devices are spaced apart along the length of the strips by auniform predetermined distance that is calculated based on the height ofthe boards and a uniform desired board overlap distance so that each rowof boards has a corresponding row of fixing devices.

In another form, the fixing devices are individually attached directlyto the framing in a spaced apart arrangement vertically and horizontallywith respect to each other on the framing to form rows of fixing deviceson the framing for supporting rows of boards.

In yet another form, the fixing devices are provided on battens that aresecured to the framing for receiving the boards, each batten beingprovided with a number of fixing devices spaced apart along its length,and the battens being spaced apart and aligned on the framing in avertical orientation relative to each other to provide rows of fixingdevices on the framing for supporting rows of boards.

Preferably, the fixing devices are spaced apart along the length of thebattens by a uniform predetermined distance that is calculated based onthe height of the boards and a uniform desired board overlap distance sothat each row of boards has a corresponding row of fixing devices. Inone form, the fixing devices are integrally formed with the battens. Inanother form, the fixing devices are individually attached directly tothe battens. In yet another form, the fixing devices are integrallyformed in integral strips that are fixed to the battens.

Preferably, the battens each comprise an elongate base member that isattached along its length to a corresponding top plate, the top platebeing provided with a number of integral fixing devices spaced apartalong its length.

Preferably, the engagement portions of the fixing devices are shaped toengage or co-operate with a complementary recess in the rear face of theboards to thereby act to, in co-operation with a number of other fixingdevices of that row also engaging with the recess, support the board inplace on the framing.

In one form, each fixing device is a wedge-shaped component having anengagement portion for engaging with the recess of a board. Preferably,each fixing device has a substantially wedge-shaped cross-sectionalprofile formed by a base end from which a rear face and a front faceextend, the front face being inclined relative to the rear face suchthat the front and rear faces meet to form a pointed top-end oppositethe base end and wherein the front face is designed to abut a rear faceof the board and has an engagement portion that protrudes from the frontface at or toward the base end for engaging with a recess in the rearface of the board. More preferably, the engagement portion of the fixingdevice is a tapered protrusion the end-point of which is arranged toextend upward and outward at an angle from the front face of the fixingdevice, the recess of the boards having a complementary inclined surfacefor receiving the tapered protrusions in a hook-like engagementrelationship to enable the boards to be supported on the framing by thefixing devices.

In an alternative form, each fixing device is a bracket-type componenthaving an engagement portion for engaging with the recess of a board. Byway of example, each fixing device has a substantially L-shapedcross-sectional profile formed by a base portion that is arranged toextend outwardly relative to the framing and an engagement portion thatextends upwardly from the base portion and which terminates with ahooked-end edge that bends toward the framing, the recess of the boardsbeing arranged to receive the engagement portion of the fixing deviceand having a complementary inclined surface for receiving the hooked endedge of the engagement portion in a hook-like engagement relationship toenable the boards to be supported on the framing by the fixing devices.Alternatively, each fixing device has a substantially U-shapedcross-sectional profile formed by: a rear portion being arranged forsecuring directly or indirectly to the framing a base portion extendingoutwardly from the bottom of the rear portion; and a front engagementportion that extends upwardly from the base portion and which terminateswith a hooked-end edge that bends toward the rear portion, the recess ofthe boards being arranged to receive the engagement portion of thefixing device and having a complementary inclined surface for receivingthe hooked end edge of the engagement portion in a hook-like engagementrelationship to enable the boards to be supported on the framing by thefixing devices. Preferably, the portions of each fixing device areintegrally formed with each other.

Preferably, each board is provided with grooves along its front and rearfaces and is arranged to abut another board in a partially overlappingrelationship when installed on the framing such that the grooves of thefront and rear faces co-operate to form a channel, the fixing componentsbeing arranged to extend through the front face of each board and intothe framing within the overlapping region of adjacent boards but underthe respective channels to secure each board to the framing incooperation with the fixing devices.

Preferably, the fixing components are arranged to extend through thefront face of each board within the overlapping region and into theframing behind each board such that the fixing components are concealedunderneath the overlapping portion of an adjacent board.

Preferably, the fixing components are selected from the following:nails, screws, or staples.

In a second aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a fixingdevice for holding cladding boards in place on framing, each boardhaving front and rear faces, a recess being provided in and along therear face, and being arranged to be installed on the framing in apartially overlapping relationship with other like boards, the fixingdevice being arranged to co-operate with a number of like fixing devicessuch that the fixing devices are supported by the framing and are spacedapart relative to each other and arranged in rows, the fixing devicehaving an engagement portion for engaging with a section of the recessof a board to, in co-operation with the other fixing devices of that rowalso engaging with a section of the recess, hold the board in place onthe framing.

Preferably, the fixing device is arranged to be securely attacheddirectly or indirectly to the framing.

In one form, the fixing device is a wedge-shaped component having anengagement portion for engaging with the recess of a board. Preferably,the fixing device has a substantially wedge-shaped cross-sectionalprofile formed by a base end from which a rear face and a front faceextend, the front face being inclined relative to the rear face suchthat the front and rear faces meet to form a pointed top-end oppositethe base end and wherein the front face is designed to abut a rear faceof the board and has an engagement portion that protrudes from the frontface at or toward the base end for engaging with a recess in the rearface of the board. More preferably, the engagement portion is a taperedprotrusion the end-point of which is arranged to extend upward andoutward at an angle from the front face of the fixing device, the recessof the boards having a complementary inclined surface for receiving thetapered protrusions in a hook-like engagement relationship to enable theboards to be held on the framing by the fixing devices.

In an alternative form, the fixing device is a bracket-type componenthaving an engagement portion for engaging with the recess of a board. Byway of example, the fixing device has a substantially L-shapedcross-sectional profile formed by a base portion that is arranged toextend outwardly relative to the framing and an engagement portion thatextends upwardly from the base portion and which terminates with ahooked-end edge that bends toward the framing, the recess of the boardsbeing arranged to receive the engagement portion of the fixing deviceand having a complementary inclined surface for receiving the hooked endedge of the engagement portion in a hook-like engagement relationship toenable the boards to be held on the framing by the fixing devices.Alternatively, the fixing device has a substantially U-shapedcross-sectional profile formed by: a rear portion being arranged forsecuring directly or indirectly to the framing; a base portion extendingoutwardly from the bottom of the rear portion; and a front engagementportion that extends upwardly from the base portion and which terminateswith a hooked-end edge that bends toward the rear portion, the recess ofthe boards being arranged to receive the engagement portion of thefixing device and having a complementary inclined surface for receivingthe hooked end edge of the engagement portion in a hook-like engagementrelationship to enable the boards to be supported on the framing by thefixing devices. Preferably, the portions of each fixing device areintegrally formed with each other.

In a third aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a cavitybatten for holding cladding boards up against framing, the batten beingsecurable to the framing and being arranged to, in co-operation with anumber of like battens, receive and retain boards thereon, each boardhaving front and rear faces and being arranged to be fixed to thebattens in a partially overlapping relationship relative to one another,a recess being provided in and along the rear face of each board, thebatten comprising an elongate base member that is arranged to be securedto the framing; and a number of fixing devices spaced apart along thelength of the base member that form rows of fixing devices when a numberof battens are secured to the framing each fixing device having anengagement portion that is arranged to engage in a section of the recessof a board to, in co-operation with a number of other fixing devices ofthat row also engaging with a section of the recess, hold the board inplace against the framing.

Preferably, the fixing devices are spaced apart along the length of thebattens by a uniform predetermined distance that is calculated based onthe height of the boards and a uniform desired board overlap distance sothat each row of boards has a corresponding row of fixing devices.

In one form, the fixing devices are integrally formed with the basemember of the batten.

In another form, the fixing devices are individually attached directlyto the base member of the batten. In yet another form, the fixingdevices are integrally formed in integral strips that are fixed to thebase member of the batten.

Preferably, the batten further comprises a top plate that is attached tothe base member along its length, the top plate being provided with anumber of integral fixing devices spaced part along its length.

In one form, each fixing device is a wedge-shaped component having anengagement portion for engaging with the recess of a board. Preferably,each fixing device has a substantially wedge-shaped cross-sectionalprofile formed by a base end from which a rear face and a front faceextend, the front face being inclined relative to the rear face suchthat the front and rear faces meet to form a pointed top-end oppositethe base end and wherein the front face is designed to abut a rear faceof the board and has an engagement portion that protrudes from the frontface at or toward the base end for engaging with a recess in the rearface of the board. More preferably, the engagement portion of eachfixing device is a tapered protrusion the end-point of which is arrangedto extend upward and outward at an angle from the front face of thefixing device, the recess of the boards having a complementary inclinedsurface for receiving the tapered protrusions in a hook-like engagementrelationship to enable the boards to be held on the framing by thefixing devices.

In another form, each fixing device is a bracket-type component havingan engagement portion for engaging with the recess of a board. By way ofexample, each fixing device has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectionalprofile formed by a base portion that is arranged to extend outwardlyrelative to the framing and an engagement portion that extends upwardlyfrom the base portion and which terminates with a hooked-end edge thatbends toward the batten, the recess of the boards being arranged toreceive the engagement portion of the fixing device and having acomplementary inclined surface for receiving the hooked end edge of theengagement portion in a hook-like engagement relationship to enable theboards to be held on the framing by the fixing devices. Alternatively,each fixing device has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profileformed by: a rear portion being arranged for securing directly orindirectly to the framing a base portion extending outwardly from thebottom of the rear portion; and a front engagement portion that extendsupwardly from the base portion and which terminates with a hooked-endedge that bends toward the rear portion, the recess of the boards beingarranged to receive the engagement portion of the fixing device andhaving a complementary inclined surface for receiving the hooked endedge of the engagement portion in a hook-like engagement relationship toenable the boards to be supported on the framing by the fixing devices.Preferably, the portions of each fixing device are integrally formedwith each other.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a fixingstrip for holding cladding boards up against forming the strip beingsecurable to the framing and being arranged to, in co-operation with anumber of like strips, receive and retain boards thereon, each boardhaving front and rest faces and being arranged to be fixed to theframing in a partially overlapping relationship relative to one another,a recess being provided in and along the rear face of each board, thestrip comprising: an elongate base member that is arranged to be securedto the framing and a number of integral fixing devices spaced apartalong the length of the base member that form rows of fixing deviceswhen a number of strips are secured to the framing, each fixing devicehaving an engagement portion that is arranged to engage in a section ofthe recess of a board to, in co-operation with a number of other fixingdevices of that row also engaging with a section of the recess, hold theboard in place against the framing.

Preferably, the fixing devices are spaced apart along the length of thestrips by a uniform predetermined distance that is calculated based onthe height of the boards and a uniform desired board overlap distance sothat each row of boards has a corresponding row of fixing devices.

In one form, each fixing device is a wedge-shaped component having anengagement portion for engaging with the recess of a board. Preferably,each fixing device has a substantially wedge-shaped cross-sectionalprofile formed by a base end from which a rear face and a front faceextend, the front face being inclined relative to the rear face suchthat the front and rear faces meet to form a pointed top-end oppositethe base end and wherein the front face is designed to abut a rear faceof the board and has an engagement portion that protrudes from the frontface at or toward the base end for engaging with a recess in the rearface of the board. More preferably, the engagement portion of eachfixing device is a tapered protrusion the end-point of which is arrangedto extend upward and outward at an angle from the front face of thefixing device, the recess of the boards having a complementary inclinedsurface for receiving the tapered protrusions in a hook-like engagementrelationship to enable the boards to be held on the framing by thefixing devices.

In an alternative form, each fixing device is a bracket-type componenthaving an engagement portion for engaging with the recess of a board. Byway of example, each fixing device has a substantially L-shapedcross-sectional profile formed by a base portion that is arranged toextend outwardly relative to the framing and an engagement portion thatextends upwardly from the base portion and which terminates with ahooked-end edge that bends toward the strip, the recess of the boardsbeing arranged to receive the engagement portion of the fixing deviceand having a complementary inclined surface for receiving the hooked endedge of the engagement portion in a hook-like engagement relationship toenable the boards to be held on the framing by the fixing devices.Alternatively, each fixing device has a substantially U-shapedcross-sectional profile formed by: are portion being arranged forsecuring directly or indirectly to the framing; a base portion extendingoutwardly from the bottom of the rear portion; and a front engagementportion that extends upwardly from the base portion and which terminateswith a hooked-end edge that bends toward the rear portion, the recess ofthe boards being arranged to receive the engagement portion of thefixing device and having a complementary inclined surface for receivingthe hooked end edge of the engagement portion in a hook-like engagementrelationship to enable the boards to be supported on the framing by thefixing devices.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a claddingboard for securing to framing in a partially overlapping relationshiprelative to other like boards, the board comprising front and rearfaces, the rear face being provided with a recess in and along itslength that is arranged to engage with a number of complementary spacedapart fixing devices supported by the forming, the fixing devices beingarranged in rows on the framing, a number of fixing devices of a rowengaging with sections of the recess of a board to support the board upagainst the framing.

Preferably, the recess is shaped to engage with engagement portions ofthe fixing devices to enable the board to be supported in place on theframing by the fixing devices.

Preferably, the recess comprises an angled upper surface that togetherwith the rear face of the board forms a tapered upper edge that pointsdownwardly and outwardly relative to the tear face for engaging in ahook-like engagement relationship with the fixing devices.

Preferably, the recess has a cross-sectional profile comprising a lowersurface extending substantially perpendicularly into the board from andrelative to the rear face of the board, a back surface extendingupwardly from the lower surface, and an angled upper surface extendingdownwardly back to the rear face of the board from the back surface.

Preferably, the board further comprises grooves along its front and rearfaces and is arranged to abut another like board in a partiallyoverlapping relationship when installed on the framing such that thegrooves of the front and rear faces co-operate to form a channel.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a method ofinstalling cladding boards onto the framing of a building in a partiallyoverlapping relationship such that adjacent boards have an overlappingregion, each board having front and tear faces with a recess beingprovided in and along the rear face, the method comprising the steps of:(a) securing rows of spaced-apart fixing devices to the framing, eachrow of fixing devices being arranged to support a board or row of boardsand each fixing device having an engagement portion that is arranged toengage with a section of the recess of a board to, in co-operation witha number of other fixing devices of that row also engaging with asection of the recess, support the board in place on the framing, thevertical distance between the rows of fixing devices determining theoverlapping region between adjacent boards; (b) engaging a first boardwith the lower-most row of fixing devices such that the engagementportions of a number of fixing devices of that row engage into therecess of the rear face of the first board to support and hold it inplace such that at least a portion of the rear face abuts the framing;(c) driving a number of fixing components through the front face of thefirst board and into the framing along the length of the board withinthe overlapping region to secure the board in place on the framing; and(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) for second and subsequent boards inrelation to the next rows of fixing devices to progressively clad theframing with boards from the bottom up.

In one form, step (a) comprises providing a number of battens, eachbatten having a number of fixing devices uniformly spaced apart alongits length, and securing the battens in a spaced apart relationship andin a vertical orientation on the framing such that the fixing devices ofthe battens are aligned to form the rows of fixing devices.

In another form, step (a) comprises securing individual fixingcomponents directly to the framing in a spaced apart arrangementvertically and horizontally with respect to each other to form the rowsof fixing devices.

In yet another form, step (a) comprises providing a number of fixingstrips, each fixing strip having a number of integral fixing devicesspaced apart along its length, and securing the fixing strips in aspaced apart relationship and in a vertical orientation on the framingsuch that the fixing devices of the fixing strips are aligned to formthe rows of fixing devices.

Preferably, step (c) comprises driving fixing components selected fromthe following: nails, screws, or staples.

The term “board” as used in this specification and claims is intended tocover any type, shape, or profile of cladding board, sheathing, orsiding, including, by way of example only, weatherboards, bevel-backedboards and sidings, and rusticated boards and sidings.

The term “framing” as used in this specification and claims is intendedto cover any surface that is to be clad with boards, including anyframing components such as studs or struts, and any type of sheetbacking surface or the like, whether in the context of walls, fencing,screens, or roofing.

The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification and claims means‘consisting at least in part of’, that is to say when interpretingstatements in this specification and claims which include that term, thefeatures, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to bepresent but other features can also be present.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructionsof which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way ofexample only and with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a prior art weatherboard design;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the prior art weatherboard design of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a series of the prior artweatherboards of FIGS. 1 and 2 installed on the framing of a building;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a prior at weatherboard claddingsystem that utilises cavity battens in between the framing andweatherboards;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a first preferred form of the fixingsystem of the present invention for securing weatherboards to a wallthat utilises cavity battens with wedge type fixing devices;

FIG. 6 shows the first preferred form of the fixing system of FIG. 5,except the cavity battens are attached to framing;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the first preferred form of thefixing system shown in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8 and 8 b show perspective and plan views respectively of thecavity battens of the first preferred form of the fixing system of FIGS.5-7;

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b show perspective and cross-sectional viewsrespectively of an alternative form of the first preferred form offixing system in which individual fixing devices are directly connectedto the framing without cavity battens;

FIG. 9 c shows a perspective view of another alternative form of thefirst preferred form of fixing system in which an integral strip offixing devices is provided for connecting directly to the framingwithout cavity battens;

FIG. 10 a shows a perspective view of cavity battens with bracket-typefixing devices that are utilised in a second preferred form of thefixing system of the present invention;

FIG. 10 b shows a cross-sectional view of the second preferred form ofthe fixing system for securing weatherboards to framing;

FIGS. 11 a-11 c show an alternative form of the second preferred form ofthe fixing system in which the fixing devices are directly connected tothe framing without cavity battens; and

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of another alternative form of thesecond preferred form of the fixing system in which an integral strip offixing devices is provided for connecting directly to the framingwithout cavity battens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

By way of example, the fixing system of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to cladding boards of the weatherboard type.The weatherboards are arranged to be installed on framing or walls of abuilding in a partially overlapping relationship and are preferablyprovided with grooves on the front and rear faces that, when installed,co-operate to form an anti-capillary channel in the overlapping regionof two adjacent weatherboards. It will be appreciated that there aremany different weatherboard or cladding board designs that could providefor the overlapping relationship and the channel and these alternativedesigns are all intended to be included within the scope of the presentinvention. Further, the fixing system will work with boards that are notdesigned to form anti-capillary channels.

In general, the present invention relates to a concealed fixing systemfor securing cladding boards to the framing or walls of a building. Thefixing system is entirely concealed when the boards are installed. Thefixing system comprises rows of spaced apart fixing devices supported,directly or indirectly, by the framing or wall, each row of fixingdevices being arranged to support a board or row of boards viaengagement into a complementary recess provided in the ear face of eachboard. The fixing system preferably also utilises a number of fixingcomponents that extend through the front face of each board along anupper edge of the board in the overlapping region between adjacentboards and into the framing to secure the boards to the framing. Thefixing devices can be provided on cavity battens that are secured to theframing of the building or they may be directly connected to theframing.

Referring to FIGS. 5-8 b, a first preferred form of the fixing system ofthe invention will be described by way of example. Referring to FIGS. 5and 6, the first preferred form of the fixing system 20 comprises anumber of elongate cavity battens 22 that are attached or secured to theexterior surface of a wall 24 (FIG. 5) or framing 26 (FIG. 6) upon whicha number of cladding boards 28 are installed in an overlappingrelationship. The cavity battens 22 may be attached or secured to thewall 24 or framing 26 via fixing components such as nails or screws, oradhesive, or any other fixing means. The battens 22 are preferablyinstilled in a vertical orientation and are spaced apart along the wall24 or framing 26. They are also preferably aligned to form rows offixing devices 30.

Each cavity batten 22 is provided with a number of fixing devices 30spaced apart along its length. The fixing devices 30 include an engagingportion that is shaped to engage with or into a section of acomplementary recess provided in and along the rear face of a board. Thecavity battens 22 are arranged such that when installed, the fixingdevices 30 form rows, each row of fixing devices 30 being arranged toengage into a board or row of boards to hold the board or boards inplace against the battens and/or framing. In particular, a number offixing devices 30 of a row are arranged to co-operate together to engagein sections of the complementary recess of a board to hold the board inplace against the wall 24 or framing 26.

Referring to FIG. 7, the fixing devices 30 and their relationship withthe recesses of the boards will be described in more detail. The fixingdevices 30 of the first preferred form of the fixing system are of awedge type. In particular, they preferably have a cross-sectionalprofile that is substantially wedge-shaped with a base end 32 thattapers into a pointed top-end 34. More specifically, the cross-sectionalprofile of the fixing device 30 comprises a flat tear face 36 and aninclined front face 38 which meet at the pointed top-end or edge 34. Inthe preferred form, the front face 38 of the fixing device 30 isarranged to abut a tear face of a board 28. Protruding from the frontface 38 toward the base end 32 is an engaging or engagement portion 40that is shaped to securely engage or co-operate with a complementaryrecess 42 provided in and along the rear face of a board 28. Inparticular, the engaging portion 40 may be shaped such that it hooksinto the recess 42 of the board to thereby support the weight of theboard and hold it in place against the cavity battens 22 and framing 26.In the preferred form, engagement portion 40 includes a taperedprotrusion 40 a, the end point of which is arranged to extend upward andoutward at an angle from the front face of the fixing device 30.

In the preferred form, the recesses 42 of the boards 28 are preferablyprovided with a complementary inclined or angled surface 42 a forreceiving the tapered protrusion 40 a of the fixing device in ahook-like engagement relationship to enable boards to be supported onthe framing. With reference to FIG. 7, the recess 42 of the board 28may, for example, have a cross-sectional profile that comprises a lowersurface 42 c that extends substantially perpendicularly into the boardfrom and relative to the rear face of the board, and then a back surface42 d extending upwardly from the lower surface. The inclined uppersurface 42 a may then extending downwardly from the top of the backsurface 42 d back toward the rear face of the board 28 to complete therecess. In the preferred form, the angled upper surface 42 a and rearface together form a tapered upper edge 42 b that points downwardly andoutwardly relative to the rear face for engaging in a hook-likeengagement relationship with the tapered protrusions 40 a of the fixingdevices.

The fixing system 20 further preferably comprises a number of fixingcomponents 44 that extend through the front face of the boards 28 towardand along the upper edge of each board and into the cavity battens 22and framing 26 to secure each board in place. It will be appreciatedthat a number of fixing components 44 may be provided along the lengthof each board at appropriate places. The fixing components 44 may benails, screws, or the like, and are located in the overlapping region oftwo adjacent boards so that they are concealed. Preferably, the fixingcomponents 44 are inserted below the anti-capillary channel 46 formed bythe co-operating grooves of the overlapping boards 28. Alternatively thefixing components may be inserted above the channel 46 or they may beinserted anywhere in the overlapping region if the boards do not provideanti-capillary channels.

Referring to FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, a cavity batten 22 is shown in isolationand will be explained in more detail. Each cavity batten 22 comprises anelongate base member 48 having a number of fixing devices 30 spacedapart along its length. The fixing devices 30 are identical in profileand are spaced apart on the batten 22 by a uniform predetermineddistance that corresponds to the dimension of the boards being installedand the desired overlap required for the boards. In particular, thepredetermined spacing distance between the fixing devices is calculatedbased on the height of the boards 28 and a uniform desired board overlapdistance to enable rows of fixing devices to be formed duringinstallation of the battens, one row of fixing devices for each row ofboards. It will be appreciated that the fixing devices may be integrallyformed with the elongate base member 48. For example, the cavity battenmay be formed from wood and may be profiled or cut to provide aplurality of fixing devices 30 on its front face. Alternatively, it willbe appreciated that the fixing devices 30 may be individually formed andcut and attached individually to the base member 48 of the cavity batten22 via adhesives, nails, screws, or other fixing means. It will beappreciated that the cavity batten may be formed as one uniform integralcomponent or by an interconnection of the base member 48 and a number offixing devices 30. The battens may be formed from any suitable type ofmaterial, such as wood, plastic, metal, steel or any combinationthereof. The battens may be any desired length as required.

As mentioned, it is desirable to utilise cavity battens to providecavities in between the cladding boards and framing for drainagepurposes, especially when the cladding boards are likely to be exposedto particularly harsh weather conditions. However, an alternative to thefirst preferred form of the fixing system 20 may be employed that doesnot utilise cavity battens. In particular, the fixing devices 30 may bedirectly attached to the framing 26 of the building such that they arespaced apart vertically and horizontally on the face of framing to formrows, each row being arranged to receive and retain an individualcladding board or row of boards. For example, FIGS. 9 a and 9 b show analternative form of the first preferred form of the fixing system 20that does not utilise cavity battens. Rather, it utilises fixing devices30 that are directly coupled or connected to the framing 26 with fixingcomponents such as screws, nails, or the like. FIG. 9 a shows a singleframing component 26, such as a stud or strut, with directly connectedfixing devices 30 and FIG. 9 b shows a number of cladding boards 28installed onto the framing 26. Like FIG. 7, fixing components 44 areprovided in the overlapping region extending through the front face ofeach board 28 and into the framing 26 to provide additional securementof the cladding boards to the framing.

Another alternative form of the first preferred form of the fixingsystem 20 that can be used without cavity battens is shown in FIG. 9 c.In this form, the fixing devices 30 may be formed in integral plates orfixing strips 30 a of any desired length and from metal, steel, plastic,wood or any other suitable material. These strips 30 a can be directlyattached to the flaming with nails, screws, staples, adhesive or anyother fixing mesas to form the rows of fixing devices on the framing.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 10 b, a second preferred form of the fixingsystem of the present invention will be described. The second preferredform of the fixing system 60 is substantially similar to that of thefirst preferred form, but differs in that the fixing devices arebracket-type components rather than wedge-type components.

Referring to FIG. 10 a, the cavity battens 62 of the fixing system 60comprise an elongate base member 64 on to which is attached a top plate66. The top plate 66 is provided with a number of connection apertures68 through which fixing components such as screws 70, nails, or the likemay extend to fix the cavity batten 62 to the framing 26 as shown inFIG. 10 b. It will be appreciated that screws, nails, or other fixingcomponents may extend through these apertures 68 to couple the top plate66 to the base member 64 or alternatively the top plate may be connectedto the base member 64 via adhesives such as glue or the like.

In the preferred form, the top plate 66 is punched along its length toform bracket-type fixing devices 72 that are shaped to engage withcomplementary recesses 76 in the rear faces of cladding boards 67 asshown in FIG. 10 b. In particular, the bracket-type fixing devices 72may have a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional profile. For example,the fixing devices 72 may comprise a base portion 72 a that is arrangedto extend outwardly relative to the batten 62 and an integral engagementportion 72 b that extends upwardly from the base portion 72 a and whichterminate with a hooked-end edge 74 that bends toward the batten. Inoperation, the engagement portion 72 b and hooked-end edge 74 arearranged to engage with a complementary inclined surface 78 of therecess 76 of the cladding board 67 in a hook-like engagementrelationship to hold the board in place on the batten and framing.

Other than the bracket-type nature of the fixing devices 72, the fixingsystem 60 operates in a similar manner to that described in respect ofthe first preferred form of the fixing system 20. For example, concealedfixing components such as nails, screws, or the like are provided in theoverlapping region of the cladding boards 67 to secure them to thebattens 62 and framing 26 for additional support.

It will be appreciated that the bracket-type fixing devices 72 may beformed in other ways and do not necessarily have to be integrallyprovided by a single top plate 66. For example, individual bracket-typefixing devices may be individually attached or secured along the lengthof the base member 64 of the cavity batten 62 at spaced apart intervals.The cavity batten 62 may be formed from wood, plastic, metal or acombination thereof. For example, it may have a wooden base member 64and a metal top plate 66 having metal integral fixing devices 72 oralternatively the top plate 66 may be plastic. The base member 64 doesnot necessarily have to be wood and could also be plastic or metal.

In an alternative form of the fixing system 60, the bracket-type fixingdevices may be provided on the framing without cavity battens. Forexample, individual bracket-type fixing devices 80 may be secureddirectly to the framing in rows via fixing components 82, such asscrews, nails, or the like as shown in FIGS. 11 a-11 c.

The individual fixing devices 82 of the bracket-type will be explainedin more detail with reference to FIG. 11 c. In the preferred form, thefixing devices 82 have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profilethat is formed by shaping or bending a flat metal component. Forexample, the fixing devices 82 comprises a rear portion 84 and a frontengagement portion 86 that are integrally joined at the bottom by a baseportion 88 to crate a substantially U-shaped bracket. In the preferredform, the front engagement portion 86 terminates with a hooked-end topedge 90 that bends toward rear portion 84. In operation, the frontengagement portion 86 and hooked edge 90 are arranged to securely engagewith a section of the recess and its inclined upper surface of acladding board as previously described in a hook-like engagementrelationship. The rear portion 84 is provided with an aperture 92through which a fixing component 82, such as a screw, nail, or the like,may extend to secure or attach the fixing device to framing or the like.

In another alternative form of the fixing system 60, the bracket-typefixing devices may be formed in integral plates or fixing strips 94 asshown in FIG. 12. These strips 94 can be directly attached to theframing with nails, screws, staples, adhesive or any other fixing meansto form the rows of fixing devices on the framing without using cavitybattens. The strips 94 may be any desired length and may be formed frommetal, steel, plastic, wood or any other suitable material. By way ofexample, the strips 94 may be essentially the same as the top plates 66described with reference to FIGS. 10 a and 10 b, and like features havelike reference numerals in FIG. 12.

Installation of cladding boards utilising the fixing system of thepresent invention will now be described. Firstly, the cavity battenbased fixing systems described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 a, 8b, 10 a and 10 b will be described. Referring to FIG. 6 by way ofexample, installation involves firstly fixing a number of cavity battens22 to the framing 26 of the building in a vertical orientation at spacedapart intervals. These intervals can be lengthened or shortened asdesired and they do not necessarily have to be uniform. The cavitybattens 22 are installed such that that fixing devices 30 provided oneach cavity batten are aligned with the fixing devices of the othercavity battens to form rows of fixing devices. Installation theninvolves fixing cladding boards 28 to the cavity battens so that theboards have an overlapping relationship with respect to each other. Forexample, a top portion of a lower board should be covered by a lowerportion of the next highest board, with all boards preferably in aparallel configuration with even overlap.

Typically, the boards 28 are fixed to cavity battens 22 one at a timebeginning at the bottom of the framing 26 where the cladding is tostart. Typically, the lower-most board is installed first by beingengaged against the lower-most row of fixing devices such that a numberof the fixing devices of that row engage securely in sections of thecomplementary recess in the rear face of the board. With the board 28held in place against the cavity battens 22 by a number of fixingdevices, a number of fixing components, such a nails, screws, staples,or the like, can be inserted or driven through the front face and towardthe top edge, and preferably under the anti-capillary groove, of theboard 28 and into the battens 22 and/or framing 26 to secure the boardin place. With the lower-most board in place, the next board may bepositioned against the cavity battens such that its rear face recessengages with a number of fixing devices of the next row and it may thenalso be nailed in place. The vertical spacing between the rows of fixingdevices is preferably uniform and predetermined to ensure an evenoverlap of boards up the framing. The overlap also conceals the nailsinserted below the anti-capillary channel. Each subsequent board isinstalled in a similar manner until the cavity battens and/or framing ofthe building is fully covered.

Installation of cladding boards utilising the fixing system describedwith respect to FIGS. 9 a, 9 b and 11 a-11 c is similar but more labourintensive. In particular, rather than simply installing a number ofcavity battens upon the framing in a spaced apart manner, individualfixing devices, whether wedge-type (FIGS. 9, and 9 b) or bracket-type(FIGS. 11 a-11 c), must be fixed to the framing in a spaced apart mannervertically and horizontally to create aligned rows of fixing devices,each row being arranged to support a board or row of boards.

Installation of the cladding boards utilising the fixing systemdescribed with respect to FIGS. 9 c and 12 is similar to that describedwith respect to the cavity batten based fixing systems. In particular,the integral fixing strips 30 a (wedge-type—FIG. 9 c) or 94(bracket-type—FIG. 12) of fixing devices are attached directly to theframing and aligned on the framing in a similar manner to the cavitybattens 22 to form rows of fixing devices.

It will be appreciated that the fixing devices may be formed fromvarious materials and that there are various alternative complementaryshapes of fixing devices and cladding board recesses that could beutilised to engage with each other to hold cladding boards in place. Thewedge-type and bracket-type fixing devices described are provided by wayof example only.

It will be appreciated that the vertical and horizontal spacing betweenfixing devices, whether installed via cavity battens or directly toframing, may be varied as desired to accommodate different framingstructures, cladding board sizes and the like. Preferably, the verticalspacing intervals between fixing devices is uniform to provide an evenoverlap of boards up the framing. The horizontal spacing intervals canbe varied according to the desired level of structural integrityrequired.

The fixing system of the present invention provides greater stability inthe construction of cladding board buildings and houses. The fixingdevices of the fixing system are designed to hold boards in place, withnails or the like providing additional securement at intervals throughthe unexposed surface of the boards in the overlapping region. Thefixing system provides greater stability of boards and provides greaterresistance against the elements as it is an entirely concealed fixingsystem. The concealed nature of the fixing system also provides anaesthetic advantage in that there is no visible nailing. Also, boardscan be pre-painted prior to installation on the framing and this mayprovide cost savings from an installation viewpoint. Further, the cavitybatten based fixing system provides a means of enhancing the durabilityand life of cladding via increased drainage.

The fixing system has been described in the context of cladding theframing of a building, but it will be appreciated that the system canalso be applied to roofing, fencing, and screens, whether the framing istimber or metal. It will also be appreciated that the boards of thecladding system can be installed horizontally, vertically or on anangle.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred formsthereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from thescope of the invention as defined by the accompany claims.

1. A fixing device for holding cladding boards in place on framing, eachboard having front and rear faces, a recess being provided in and alongthe rear face, and being arranged to be installed on the framing in apartially overlapping relationship with other like boards, the fixingdevice being arranged to co-operate with a number of like fixing devicessuch that the fixing devices are supported by the framing and are spacedapart relative to each other and arranged in rows, the fixing devicebeing a wedge-shaped component comprising an engagement portion that isarranged to engage with a section of the recess of a board to, inco-operation with the other fixing devices of that row also engagingwith a section of the recess, hold the board in place on the framing. 2.A fixing device according to claim 1 wherein the fixing device isarranged to be securely attached directly or indirectly to the framing.3. A fixing device according to claim 1 wherein the fixing devicecomprises a substantially wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile formed bya base end from which a rear face and a front face extend, the frontface being inclined relative to the rear face such that the front andrear faces meet to form a pointed top-end opposite the base end andwherein the front face is designed to abut a rear face of the board andhas an engagement portion that protrudes from the front face at ortoward the base end for engaging with a recess in the rear face of theboard.
 4. A fixing device according to claim 3 wherein the engagementportion is a tapered protrusion the end-point of which is arranged toextend upward and outward at an angle from the front face of the fixingdevice, the recess of the boards having a complementary inclined surfacefor receiving the tapered protrusions in a hook-like engagementrelationship to enable the boards to be held on the framing by thefixing devices.
 5. A cavity batten for holding cladding boards upagainst framing, the batten being securable to the framing and beingarranged to, in co-operation with a number of like battens, receive andretain boards thereon, each board having front and rear faces and beingarranged to be fixed to the battens in a partially overlappingrelationship relative to one another, a recess being provided in andalong the rear face of each board, the batten comprising: an elongatebase member that is arranged to be secured to the framing; and a numberof fixing devices spaced apart along the length of the base member thatform rows of fixing devices when a number of battens are secured to theframing, each fixing device being a wedge-shaped component comprising anengagement portion that is arranged to engage in a section of the recessof a board to, in co-operation with a number of other fixing devices ofthat row also engaging with a section of the recess, hold the board inplace against the framing.
 6. A cavity batten according to claim 5wherein the fixing devices are spaced apart along the length of thebattens by a uniform predetermined distance that is calculated based onthe height of the boards and a uniform desired board overlap distance sothat each row of boards has a corresponding row of fixing devices.
 7. Acavity batten according to claim 5 wherein the fixing devices areintegrally formed with the base member of the batten.
 8. A cavity battenaccording to claim 5 wherein the fixing devices are individuallyattached directly to the base member of the batten.
 9. A cavity battenaccording to claim 5 wherein the fixing devices are integrally formed inintegral strips that are fixed to the base member of the batten.
 10. Acavity batten according to claim 9 wherein the batten further comprisesa top plate that is attached to the base member along its length, thetop plate being provided with a number of integral fixing devices spacedapart along its length.
 11. A cavity batten according to claim 5 whereineach fixing device comprises a substantially wedge-shapedcross-sectional profile formed by a base end from which a rear face anda front face extend, the front face being inclined relative to the rearface such that the front and rear faces meet to form a pointed top-endopposite the base end and wherein the front face is designed to abut arear face of the board and has an engagement portion that protrudes fromthe front face at or toward the base end for engaging with a recess inthe rear face of the board.
 12. A cavity batten according to claim 11wherein the engagement portion of each fixing device is a taperedprotrusion the end-point of which is arranged to extend upward andoutward at an angle from the front face of the fixing device, the recessof the boards having a complementary inclined surface for receiving thetapered protrusions in a hook-like engagement relationship to enable theboards to be held on the framing by the fixing devices.
 13. A fixingstrip for holding cladding boards up against framing, the strip beingsecurable to the framing and being arranged to, in co-operation with anumber of like strips, receive and retain boards thereon, each boardhaving front and rear faces and being arranged to be fixed to theframing in a partially overlapping relationship relative to one another,a recess being provided in and along the rear face of each board, thestrip comprising: an elongate base member that is arranged to be securedto the framing; and a number of integral fixing devices spaced apartalong the length of the base member that form rows of fixing deviceswhen a number of strips are secured to the framing, each fixing devicebeing a wedge-shaped component comprising an engagement portion that isarranged to engage in a section of the recess of a board to, inco-operation with a number of other fixing devices of that row alsoengaging with a section of the recess, hold the board in place againstthe framing.
 14. A fixing strip according to claim 13 wherein the fixingdevices are spaced apart along the length of the strips by a uniformpredetermined distance that is calculated based on the height of theboards and a uniform desired board overlap distance so that each row ofboards has a corresponding row of fixing devices.
 15. A fixing stripaccording to claim 13 wherein each fixing device has a substantiallywedge-shaped cross-sectional profile formed by a base end from which arear face and a front face extend, the front face being inclinedrelative to the rear face such that the front and rear faces meet toform a pointed top-end opposite the base end and wherein the front faceis designed to abut a rear face of the board and has an engagementportion that protrudes from the front face at or toward the base end forengaging with a recess in the rear face of the board.
 16. A fixing stripaccording to claim 15 wherein the engagement portion of each fixingdevice is a tapered protrusion the end-point of which is arranged toextend upward and outward at an angle from the front face of the fixingdevice, the recess of the boards having a complementary inclined surfacefor receiving the tapered protrusions in a hook-like engagementrelationship to enable the boards to be held on the framing by thefixing devices.